Prophet (Books of the Infinite Book #1) [NOOK Book]

Overview

"This tale captured me and held me hostage to the very last page. Breathlessly waiting for the next book."--Donita K. Paul, author of The Dragon Keeper Chronicles and The Chiril Chronicles

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she's much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, ...

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This Book

Overview

"This tale captured me and held me hostage to the very last page. Breathlessly waiting for the next book."--Donita K. Paul, author of The Dragon Keeper Chronicles and The Chiril Chronicles

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she's much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as Parne's elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

Yet she can't imagine living without Him. Determined to hear the Infinite's voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite's word to a nation torn apart by war. There she meets a young ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela battles how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.

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Meet the Author

R. J. Larson is the author of numerous devotionals featured in publications such as Women's Devotional Bible and Seasons of a Woman's Heart. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and their two sons. Prophet marks her debut in the fantasy genre.R. J. Larson is the author of numerous devotionals featured in publications such as Women'sDevotional Bible and Seasons of a Woman's Heart. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and their two sons. Prophet marks her debut in the fantasy genre. Visit http://rjlarsonbooks.com/ for more information.

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After I read the description and sample of this book, I was curi

After I read the description and sample of this book, I was curious to find out what would happen next. A story of a girl who accepts what God wants her to do, a rather difficult task at that, seemed like it would be a great story. However, I was left rather disappointed. Somehow, Ela always knew what was going on, and what was going to happen. She knew people's names and things about them when she came in contact with them. She had visions that left her incapacitated, or rendered her unconscious. This does not sound like the same God that I serve. I understand that writing a book based on the prophets in the Bible would be rather difficult; however I had hoped that it would have stayed true to scripture and not seem so much like magic.

6 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 28, 2014

Love it! A must read!

I, being a grammatical and analytical freak, am absolutely picky when i read books and decide to review them. With this book,I.Was.So.Happy!!!!!

I love love love the fact that this is a Christian author and book. It is so hard to find a fantasy novel that works with Christian values. I am on the edge to find the next book, "Judge". Please read this. Even if you dont believe in God, here is a book of undying dedication. I would recommend this to everyone i know.

This series is actually better than popular fantasy christian books like the "Dragons In Our Midst" series.

If you are looking for another book with different Christian ties but still well written, please read "A Cast Of Stones: The Staff and the Stone".

----TigressAyuraSent from my NOOK

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Prophet is a journey of the heart and soul...
Prophet
Books of

Prophet is a journey of the heart and soul...

ProphetBooks of the Infinite #1By R.J. Larson

Ella Roch of Parne is the least likely person anyone would expect to be chosen a prophet of the Infinite. But the Infinite chooses Ella to be His voice of warning to the neighboring nations and kingdoms.

When Ella sees a vision of destruction and massacre in Ytar, she has no idea why the Infinite would send such horror to her. But she soon learns the truth - she has been chosen to bring a warning to change to the kingdom of Istgard for their evil decadence and abandonment of the ways of the Infinite.

Taking her younger sister Tzana with her Ella sets out on a journey that may very well end her life before it has truly begun. After all the old saying A silver-haired prophet has failed can only mean that Ella will die young and soon.

Ella's journey to Istgard is a time for her to grow and to train in her new life as a prophet. When danger comes Ella must learn painful lessons in learning to call first upon the Infinite and His protection in every matter.

Part of Ella's mission is to turn the heart of Ambassador Kien Lantec of the Tracelands to the Infinite. Having been captured after the massacre of Ytar, Kien is a prisoner of Istgard. As fellow prisoners Ella and Kien both serve the purpose of the Infinite though Kien is unaware of his part.

A battle is coming and Ella and Kien are headed to the very center as their Istgard captors are determined to have them fall in battle along with the Traceland forces. With the visions she has received about the upcoming battle, Ella knows the Infinite's Will will be fulfilled and that she will most likely die in the ensuing battle.

Prophet is an enjoyable reading experience. Reading it one can find various parallels to Old Testament Prophets so that one will be inspired to delve into the Bible and refresh one's familiarity with the Prophets of old.

I received a free copy of this title from Bethany House for the purpose of this review, no conditions were placed on this review.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Fun YA Fantasy read

Riddle me this. What if God asked you to leave your family, all that you know and become his prophet- to bring truth and prophecy to people that really don’t want to hear it, don’t want to obey it and oh yeah, the kicker, being in His service will mean that your life will be cut short. It doesn’t sound like a job that most would sign up for. But Ela Roeh of Parne a young 17 year old girl somehow with her close relationship with “the Infinite” just can’t refuse. She is a most remarkable girl with many of the insecurities of most 17 year old girls feeling inadequate and unworthy of the task ahead of her most of the time. Yet Ela perseveres and gets better and better throughout the story in hearing the Infinite’s voice, seeking Him at every turn and doing what He tells her to do.

Along the way she meets a young handsome Traceland ambassador named Kien who is seeking justice and help for his downtrodden people. Ela and Kien’s paths cross and the Infinite is working in both of their lives to bring about His plans for all people involved in this war filled time. In Ela’s mind, Kien can’t be a part of her future because she is a prophet for the Infinite. And yet they are thrown together time after time. Could the Infinite’s plans for them both be different than what she thought?

This story does well by the Christian Fantasy genre and it is fun to see a new face on the scene in R J Larson. I thought the characters were engaging and relatable and enjoyed the addition of the trusty steed “Scythe” of “Pet” and the humor that he brought to the story. I liked the pacing with Kien being a total non-believer at the beginning of the novel, but as the story progresses and he starts seeking out the Infinite, how He is finally able to hear his voice. It wasn’t instantaneous and I like that, it had a ring of truth to it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series titled Judge.

4 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review- all opinions expressed are honest and my own.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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villageanne

Posted May 30, 2012

R.J. Larson has spun a fantasy tale in her debut fantasy novel &

R.J. Larson has spun a fantasy tale in her debut fantasy novel &acirc;Prophet&acirc; that will keep the reader hungering for more. This is the kind of story that would be told around the campfire, while keeping everyone awake all night. &acirc;Prophet&acirc;is filled with action from the first page and does not end until the last page. Sword fighting as well as bows with arrows are used as good fights evil in a battle that will keep the readers heart racing, as they enter another realm and time. The reader will feel the presence of wild animals as they fiercely leap from the pages. The scenery can be seen with vivid color and description as the reader sees the visions in their mind. This book takes the reader on an adventurous journey into a world that has never been seen until now. The book has an amazing ending, yet sets up the storyline for the next book in the series. The book begins with a character list. This list includes all the characters and a short blurb about each of them. Unlike some fantasy novels &acirc;Prophet&acirc; does not have so many characters that it is hard to follow.

This fantasy novel is appropriate for YA as well as adults.

DISCLAIMER:

I received this book free from the publisher BethanyHouse in exchange for a review. This fact has no impact on my review. I give honest reviews.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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lauraofharvestlanecottage

Posted May 29, 2012

Oh my oh my!
It's a good thing that I received this over the we

Oh my oh my! It's a good thing that I received this over the weekend! This is an absolutely gripping novel. I was quickly drawn into another world with snowy ashes falling down upon a village in the country of Parne. Ela, a young girl of 17, is drawn to find the source of the ashes choking her village. Suddenly, in a flash, she sees the destruction, hears the cries, witnesses the slaughter. So begins the journey of the prophet of the Infinite One.

R.J. Larson has crafted a tale so vivid, so mesmerizing, I read it hungrily. Such depth of understanding and careful interweaving allegory reveals spiritual truths of our own true and mighty Creator God. Jesus Himself used stories to communicate truth to those who had ears to hear. This book of fantasy has settled truths into my spirit.

Courage, determination, duty, faith, honor, hope and trust fill pages that are full of treachery, fear, anger, torment, betrayal, and battles. This is the first of the Books of the Infinite.

I highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy fantasy, adventure, and allegories. There is nothing objectionable in the way it is written. No improper relationships or language. I have passed it to my mature 14 year old daughter to read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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AprilWG

Posted May 10, 2012

By the end of the first pages, I’d swallowed the hook and

By the end of the first pages, I&rsquo;d swallowed the hook and joyously succumbed to be reeled in, one blessed page at a time.

Engaging and unique enough for the pickiest of readers (me) yet straightforward and clean enough for the youngest (I plan to let me 10yo bookworm read it) Prophet is one of those books you&rsquo;ll never forget.

It's Old Testament meets Star Wars, minus the space elements. The author weaves stories of Old Testament prophets into an imaginary land and time in a way that breathes fresh air into the old Bible stories. The book makes you wonder about the prophets&hellip; What must it have been like to hear God speak during a time when visits from the Spirit were rare and fleeting? How terrifying must it have been to face kings influenced by Evil and bent on the prophet&rsquo;s destruction? The author does a beautiful job of filling in her version of the answers. She left me quite satisfied, yet longing for more!

Apart from subliminally coercing me to think deeper into the real accounts, Ela&rsquo;s communion with the Infinite created a yearning in me for a deeper relationship with God. I can credit no other novel with that level of achievement.

The characters are enchantingly colorful. Especially little Tzana, Ela&rsquo;s young sister who is stricken with a premature aging. I adored Tzana and Pet. &ldquo;Pet&rdquo; is the name of the girls&rsquo; Destroyer, which is a species of war horse. Pet has a personality all his own, and if for no other reason, the book is worth reading for him alone.

I can&rsquo;t speak highly enough about this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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An exciting new fantasy series for young adults! A MUST READ!
I

An exciting new fantasy series for young adults! A MUST READ!

If the cover alone on this book, does not make you want to pick this one up and begin reading, I don't know what will. Just the premise alone about a young girl being chosen as a prophet immediately draws me in because we would almost expect a prophet to be a male character instead. So for female readers, this is already an exciting beginning.

The synopsis to the book begins with Ela Roch of Parne who doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified, bad tempered, and only seventeen - not to mention that no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as the elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

What would one think when faced with this choice? At seventeen it would appear that wouldn't be a choice most girls would want to face. That's what makes this such a compelling read that automatically draws you in, especially if you are a young adult picking up this book to read. The storyline falls out of character for your traditional roles and that is what becomes the immediate draw for me. I don't like your follow the path of those that have gone before you books, I LOVE something unique and different for me, this book is speak volumes in that direction.

I received Prophet by R. J. Larson compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and couldn't wait to pick this one up and begin reading it. I was not disappointed. From the very first page, this author grabbed me and won't let go. I didn't want to be let go but raced through this book, turning pages as fast as my eyes would let me go. Since this is the first book in the Books of the Infinite series, I will be looking out for number 2, in anxious anticipation.

Geared for the young adult, historical fantasy fans, even adults can find enjoyment in the pages. It's entertaining in the fact it doesn't take the author half to book to define the fantasy world, she is able to articulate it well enough you buy into it all without question. I would rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and look forward to the second book in the series, Judge, which the reader is given a sneak peek at inside the back of this one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Elizabeth22

Posted April 2, 2012

For Christian young adults hungering for an engaging fantasy, Pr

For Christian young adults hungering for an engaging fantasy, Prophet will fill the appetite and leave them satisfied. The book is fast paced enough to keep them turning pages and close enough to a Biblical world view to satisfy both parents and teen. Adults, too, may find Prophet an entertaining, light read. I did.

In the novel, seventeen year old Ela is called by the Infinite to be the first prophet in seventy years to come from her city of Parne and then only female prophet in memory. With her mystical vine-branch staff in hand, she leaves her family taking her crippled, pre-teen sister, Tzana, with her and starts off walking to warn the royal family of Istgard that their sins are about to be judged.

Adventures wait at every turn as Ela is tried and learns what it means to follow the directions of the Infinite without question or hesitation. She will face armies and battles and prison and a monster or two, as well as meeting interesting young people and more than a few dumb adults. She will also fall in love with the Traceland ambassador, Lien Lantec. A royal-blooded, slightly arrogant and delightfully handsome rogue who himself becomes a follower of the Infinite and hears the divine voice before the end of the story. Their romance has a light touch and is innocent though tinged with promise.

Although any fantasy requires the reader to suspend logic, Prophet stretches the limit. The book opens with Ela stepping out the door to find ash falling like snow. The ash is so thick she returns to the house for a mantle to keep from choking. Although her mother ask a few cursory questions about what is happening, she never bothers to look out the door much less forbid Ela from venturing out to investigate. Later in the book when Istgard is marching to battle, Ela goes along carrying her infirmed sister much of the way.

An intriguing hint of humor is threaded through the book in the form of &ldquo;destroyers.&rdquo; These over sized horses have a dog-like personality and furious loyalty to their masters. They get into mischief and often live up to their name making even the bravest warrior tingle with fear.

On the whole, I found Prophet a pleasant escape and I suspect young readers will have no problem with the logic-bending scenes that may distract adults to the extent that the book is put down before its more delightful aspects can be explored.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted September 20, 2014

A must read

Great read. Characters were well developed. Good story. I highly recommend this book.

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Anonymous

Posted September 15, 2014

Get a good book for free!

This book looked interesting and it was free! It enjoyed it and had trouble putting it down.The main character, Ela, inspired me with her courage and faith even when she didn't know what was going to happen. The world she lives on is imaginative and the other characters relate to her in interesting ways. As of today, it is still free. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

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Anonymous

Posted September 9, 2014

Awesome!!

R.J. Larson does a fantastic job in showing how close and loving God can truly be. Because of this book, I have been closer to God than what I have been before. :) I recommend this book to Christians who are trying to come closer to God in their lives. Follow Ela's example of relying on God instead of yourself.

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Anonymous

Posted July 3, 2014

Amazing read from a talented emerging author. The style wasn't

Amazing read from a talented emerging author. The style wasn't overly busy or flowery which meant I could concentrate on the story. Though it's set in a foreign environment, it easily relates to any Christ follower's struggle to follow God regardless of cost. I will definitely be on the look out for more books by this author!

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Anonymous

Posted June 17, 2014

Wonderful read!

I loved this book. I went on to buy the next two in the series and they were just as good. I definitly recommend reading this.

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Anonymous

Posted June 14, 2014

Enjoyable

This was a good, solid and enjoyable book to read. Along the lines of Moses trying to change the hearts of the wicked before God took matters into His own hands.

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Anonymous

Posted June 11, 2014

Great read.

I loved this story, I did not want it to end! I really made me think about what it might have been like to be a prophet in bible times and showed that they were just real people with doubts and fears just like me have. I enjoyed the romantic element too.

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Anonymous

Posted June 9, 2014

Great story

Well written. Keeps your attention. I love all the Biblical stories woven throughout.

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A must read

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Anonymous

Posted April 12, 2014

Easy read, unique take on fantasy

The Prophet tells the story of Ela of Parne, a sixteen-year-old called to be a prophet of the Infinite, and Kien, young ambassador of Traceland. The problems? Ela is the first girl prophet, the youngest, and the first one in seventy years, all this shadowed by the fact that "a silver-haired prophet has failed". And Kien is imprisoned unfairly, after a suspicious slaughter in one of his country's towns. What I liked about it was its uniqueness in the area of the Infinite, a creative way of allegory. The characters were well done, too, especially in depicting the differences between Ela and Kien. There's also the appeal of wondering how the prophesies will work out and how Ela can reconcile her desires wirh the Infinite's will. As a Chrisian, I enjoyed the reaffirmation of God's power, love, and perfect plan, as well as Ela's realistic struggles and realization of the blessings that come from obedience. That said, the world building was inferior to other books, lacking the scope, details, and creativity of many other fantasies I have read. Second, I was confused that no explanation was offered for a certain prophesy not being fulfilled and that Ela seemed to forget about it. Third, it just was not nearly as complex as other series - in terms of politics, relationships, number of characters, conflicting desires, etc. And this a minor thing, but I felt that Ela's relationship with her sister was a tad unrealistic, too sunny. All in all, it was a fresh take on allegorical fantasy with appealing characters and themes, but there is much in terms of literary quality that could be improved upon.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 31, 2014

One of the best books I have read in all my life.

The story is inspirational and the writing is flawless. Beautiful imagery with a message of hope for all of us who feel, for one reason or other, unworthy of our calling. I feel blessed and am grateful to have been able to read this work of art and journey with Ela the Prophet... so much so, I looked up the author and bought the 2nd and 3rd book in this series! You will not regret reading this "wonder-full" story!

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